Saturday, April 30, 2011

Laughter yoga: Making fun of life since ’95
Published: Sunday, May 1, 2011, 3:54 IST
By Apoorva Dutt & Shabana Ansari | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA


“Laughter and yoga are a strange combination, because laughter is about spontaneity, and yoga is about control,” says 26-year-old Sameer Bhattacharya, summing up his feelings neatly when asked about this form of group therapy. But on the occasion of World Laughter Day, sceptics like Bhattacharya are in a minority.
Mumbai’s chapter of the International Laughter Yoga Club was begun by physician Madan Kataria in 1995.

It was in March that year when Kataria, who was researching an article on the benefits of laughter, realised the “medical and social” benefits of laughter. So, instead of letting his findings disappear in an academic quagmire, he and his wife decided to apply his findings. At a garden in the Lokhandwala Complex, he started with four people a form of therapy that would, in time, result in more than 7,000 laughter clubs in the country, and 3,000 overseas.

The exercises include the namaskar laughter, the kite laughter, the penguin laughter, the argument laughter, and many more.

“People are initially very embarrassed to be partaking in this exercise,” explains Kataria. “But your body can’t differentiate between real and fake laughter. So the health benefits are still manifested.” The physician recounts the example of a 75-year-old man who, once he had experienced the benefits of laughter therapy, declared the first day at the laughter club to be his new birthday.

This therapy finds its most avid fans amongst the elderly or people facing daily work stress. “As you get older, you forget to laugh,” says 48-year-old Siddharth Mahajan, a businessman. “At first, I felt so stupid laughing at nothing, and everyone was staring at me. But I kept coming back. The day would start on such a great note, no matter what happened at work after that, I remained calm.”

On the other hand, some admit to not understanding the appeal. “I attended a class, for fun,” says college student Neha Gargotia. “I didn’t feel any different after the class. I much prefer physical yoga.” But Kataria maintains, “Only those are skeptics who haven’t made this therapy a part of their life. Laughter yoga is scientifically proven to be effective.”

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Over 15,028 references to Hindu Gods in the Sikh Granth Sahib

The Guru Granth Sahib contains around 15,028 of references to Hindu concepts and the names of Hindu gods.

A near-exact count is given in K.P. Agrawala: Adi Shrî Gurû Granth Sâhib kî Mahimâ (Hindi: “The greatness of the original sacred Guru scripture”), p.2, and in Ram Swarup: “Hindu roots of Sikhism”, Indian Express,

The name of the Hindu god Shri Ram, is recited 2,400 times, (the gods name whose constant repetition leads to salvation).

Hari (Vishnu) over 8,300 times, 630 times by Guru Nanak alone,

Parabrahman, 550 times, Omkara, (the primeval sound of OM) 400 times.
Please note the names of countless other Hindu gods are also mentioned and are one and the same.

In contrast the name Mohammed is never mentioned and the name allah is used but a couple of times, merely as an example. It is interesting to note that the Granth itself contains banis from seven of the sikh gurus, two muslim Sufis, but EIGHTEEN Hindu saints and pandits.

The religious source of Sikhism is Hinduism, Sikhism is a tradition developed within Hinduism. Guru Granth Sahib reflect Vedantic philosophy, the Vedanta of Rishi Vedvyas who wrote the Mahabharat. The Japji Sahib is based on Upanishads.


Summary :

IN 1500 , Guru Nanak Dev Ji ( 1469-1538 ad.), went to bathe in a stream and was missing for three days.His first statement when he came out was “neti, neti " (neither here, nor there from the Upanishads-Vedas) na koi hindu, na koi turkh, kudrat keh hain sab bandey".

...three days is a short time if you want to free yourself from acquired physics and start a new religion... the insight with which he came back with after three days retreat, as quoted by Khushwant Singh was entirely within Hindu tradition:

" their is no muslim, no hindu" it does not mean that I Nanak, am neither hindu or muslim, it means that the self ( atma , timeless indweller, the object of this mystical experience) is beyond worldly divisions....

”the self is neither black nor white, neither hindu nor muslim, neither this nor that : neti, neti ,” is the Upanishadic phrase from the Vedas, is as typically Hindu as you can get’’

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, continued the bhakti methods of the saints before him, starting with the oral repetition of the name "Rama Nama'

If Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s discovery " neither hindu nor muslim" had meant a positive conclusion, wouldn’t he have said: "neither Hindu, nor Muslim , sab Sikh?

It is strange that the statement used by many to say, he founded a new religion does not even mention this new religion?



Ek Om Kar, was already there in the Vedas - Hindu text, it is still there today. Ek = single OM = supreme being KAR= sound. Guru Nanak merely emphasised that particular path. Ek Om Kar is originally a Hindu concept. some Sikh separatists like to say EK ‘ON’KAR! what does ‘on’ mean?


Guru Angad was a devoted worshipper of the Goddess Durga. Every year he used to lead a group of devotees from Khadur Sahib, where he had settled, to the temple of Jwalamukhi in the lower Himalayas. In 1532 ad he met Guru Nanak at Kartarpur (pakistan) on his way to Jwalamukhi and became his disciple. Guru Nanak was most impressed with the devotion and selfless services of Lehna, that he proclaimed him as his successor guru in ad1539. As Nanak had previously embraced him, and because of the touch with his body e.g. "ang", he changed the name of Lehna to Angad, Guru Angad made Khadur sahib his headquarters. Humayun, the Mughal emperor called on him here and paid him homage.


Sikhs were always known as a sect of Hinduism, which is why they continued celebrating traditional Hindu festivals such as Rakhri, Diwali, Lohri, Vaisakhi, Dusshera and Holi. Unlike the Hindus who became known as muslims and started celebrating muslim festivals. If indeed the Gurus wanted to create a new religion, would they not have created religious festivals to coincide and mark this new religions separate?


The fourth guru, Ram Das (1574-1581a.d ), excavated a tank which subsequently became known as Amritsar (pool of nectar) and gave its name to the city that grew around it. in due course, a splendid edifice, Har-mandir (temple of Hari-Vishnu), rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of the sikh sect of hinduism
------

Instead, All ten Gurus marriages were conducted by Hindu pandits and they were married within Hindu rituals, as were other Sikhs until the Anand Karaj Act was passed in 1909.

The Laava written by the fourth Guru Ram Dass were about mans spiritual union wiv god, which can never be BROKEN, not about a union between man and woman!
------

Hindus and the Hindus who later became known as Sikhs, would worship together at Hari(Vishnu)-mandir Sahib, aptly named by the fourth guru Ram Dass,(1574-1581), it housed murtis of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the 6th Guru Harigobind until 1906 and is today known as the golden temple.



Some closed minded bigots refer to Hindus as Idol worshippers, but Idol worshiping is truly something that we do not do, we worship with great vigor, with heart and soul.

Idol-worshipping is an offensive and derogatory term used by the British during the British Raj through shear ignorance to degrade our ancient religion. We use Murtis to help us worship we do not specifically worship these images, we use these as focal points to help us worship god
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 03:04 PM
1. Page79 Line 4 Raag Sriraag: Guru Ram Das

hir rwm rwm myry bwbolw ipr imil Dn vyl vDMdI ]
har raam raam maerae baabolaa pir mil dhhan vael vadhhandhee ||
The Lord, Raam, Raam, is All-pervading, O my father. Meeting her Husband Lord, the soul-bride blossoms forth like the flourishing vine.

2. Page79 Line 7 Raag Sriraag: Guru Ram Das

hir rwm rwm myry bwbulw ipr imil Dn vyl vDMdI ]5]1]
har raam raam maerae baabulaa pir mil dhhan vael vadhhandhee ||5||1||
The Lord, Raam, Raam, is All-pervading, O my father. Meeting her Husband Lord, the soul-bride blossoms forth like the flourishing vine. ||5||1||

3. Page159 Line 15 Raag Gaurhee Guaarayree: Guru Amar Das

rwm rwm kriqAw suKu sWiq srIr ]
raam raam karathiaa sukh saanth sareer ||
Chanting the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, the body becomes peaceful and tranquil.

4. Page177 Line 19 Raag Gaurhee Guaarayree: Guru Arjan Dev

jip mn myry rwm rwm rMig ]
jap man maerae raam raam rang ||
Meditate, O my mind, on the Lord, Raam, Raam, with love.

5. Page218 Line 9 Raag Maajh: Guru Arjan Dev

hir rwm rwm rwm rwmw ]
har raam raam raam raamaa ||
The Lord, the Lord, Raam, Raam, Raam:

6. Page326 Line 15 Raag Gaurhee: Saint Kabir

rwmY rwm rmq suKu pwvY ]4]
raamai raam ramath sukh paavai ||4||
Chant the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, and find peace. ||4||

7. Page387 Line 1 Raag Aasaa: Guru Arjan Dev

rwm rwmw rwmw gun gwvau ]
raam raamaa raamaa gun gaavo ||
I sing the Praises of the Lord, Raam, Raam, Raam.

8. Page393 Line 8 Raag Aasaa: Guru Arjan Dev

swligrwmu hmwrY syvw ]
saalagiraam hamaarai saevaa ||
Such is the Saalagraam, the stone idol, which I serve;

9. Page393 Line 11 Raag Aasaa: Guru Arjan Dev

hwiQ ciVE hir swligrwmu ]
haathh charriou har saalagiraam ||
I hold in my hands the Saalagraam of the Lord.

10. Page409 Line 1 Raag Aasaa: Guru Arjan Dev

qij mwn moh ivkwr imiQAw jip rwm rwm rwm ]
thaj maan moh vikaar mithhiaa jap raam raam raam ||
Renounce pride, attachment, corruption and falsehood, and chant the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, Raam.

11. Page417 Line 10 Raag Aasaa: Guru Nanak Dev

rwmu n kbhU cyiqE huix khix n imlY Kudwie ]6]
raam n kabehoo chaethiou hun kehan n milai khudhaae ||6||
They never remembered their Lord as Raam, and now they cannot even chant Khudaa-i||6||

12. Page443 Line 3 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

rwmo rwm nwmu jipAw duK iklivK nws gvwieAw rwm ]
raamo raam naam japiaa dhukh kilavikh naas gavaaeiaa raam ||
I chant the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, which destroys my sorrows and erases my sins.

13. Page443 Line 9 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

rwmo rwmu rivAw Gt AMqir sB iqRsnw BUK gvweI ]
raamo raam raviaa ghatt anthar sabh thrisanaa bhookh gavaaee ||
The Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, is permeating my heart deep within, and all of my desire and hunger has disappeared.

14. Page443 Line 10 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

ijnI rwmo rwm nwmu ivswirAw sy mnmuK mUV ABwgI rwm ]
jinee raamo raam naam visaariaa sae manamukh moorr abhaagee raam ||
Those who forget the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, are foolish, unfortunate, self-willed manmukhs.

15. Page443 Line 14 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

rwmo rwm nwmu gurU rwmu gurmuKy jwxY rwm ]
raamo raam naam guroo raam guramukhae jaanai raam ||
The Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, and the Lord Guru, are known by the Gurmukh.

16. Page443 Line 16 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

rwmo rwmu rmo rmu aUcw gux khiqAw AMqu n pwieAw ]
raamo raam ramo ram oochaa gun kehathiaa anth n paaeiaa ||
So repeat continually the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam; chanting His Glorious Virtues, His limit cannot be found.

17. Page444 Line 6 Raag Aasaa: Guru Ram Das

rwmo rwm nwmu sqy siq gurmuiK jwixAw rwm ]
raamo raam naam sathae sath guramukh jaaniaa raam ||
True, True is the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam; the Gurmukh knows the Lord.

18. Page481 Line 3 Raag Aasaa: Saint Kabir

rwm rwm rwm rmy rim rhIAY ]
raam raam raam ramae ram reheeai ||
Remain absorbed in the Lord's Name, Raam, Raam, Raam.

19. Page484 Line 1 Raag Aasaa: Saint Kabir

ly rwiKE rwm jnIAw nwau ]1]
lae raakhiou raam janeeaa naao ||1||
but now she is called Raam-jannia, the servant of the Lord. ||1||

20. Page491 Line 1 Raag Goojree: Guru Amar Das

rwm rwm sBu ko khY kihAY rwmu n hoie ]
raam raam sabh ko kehai kehiai raam n hoe ||
Everyone chants the Lord's Name, Raam, Raam; but by such chanting, the Lord is not obtained.

21. Page501 Line 4 Raag Goojree: Guru Arjan Dev

rsnw rwm rwm rvMq ]
rasanaa raam raam ravanth ||
With your tongue, chant the Lord's Name, Raam, Raam.

22. Page502 Line 10 Raag Goojree: Guru Arjan Dev

jip rwm rwmw duK invwry imlY hir jn sMq ]4]
jap raam raamaa dhukh nivaarae milai har jan santh ||4||
Chanting the Name of the Lord, Raam, Raam, one's miseries are ended, as one meets the Saintly servants of the Lord. ||4||

23. Page555 Line 10 Raag Bihaagrhaa: Guru Amar Das

rwmu rwmu krqw sBu jgu iPrY rwmu n pwieAw jwie ]
raam raam karathaa sabh jag firai raam n paaeiaa jaae ||
The entire world roams around, chanting, ""Raam, Raam, Lord, Lord"", but the Lord cannot be obtained like this.

24. Page695 Line 7 Raag Dhanaasree: Saint Trilochan

dwDIly lµkw gVu aupwVIly rwvx bxu sil ibsil Awix qoKIly hrI ]
dhaadhheelae lankaa garr oupaarreelae raavan ban sal bisal aan thokheelae haree ||
Hanuman burnt the fortress of Sri Lanka, uprooted the garden of Raawan, and brought healing herbs for the wounds of Lachhman, pleasing Lord Raamaa;

25. Page695 Line 12 Raag Dhanaasree: Saint Sain

rwmw Bgiq rwmwnµdu jwnY ]
raamaa bhagath raamaanandh jaanai ||
Raamaanand knows the devotional worship of the Lord.

Last edited by Sikh scholar on Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:05 pm; edited 1 time in total
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 03:04 PM
. Page469 Line 15 Raag Aasaa: Guru Angad Dev

eyk ik®snµ srb dyvw dyv dyvw q Awqmw ]
eaek kirasanan sarab dhaevaa dhaev dhaevaa th aathamaa ||
The One Lord Krishna is the Divine Lord of all; He is the Divinity of the individual soul.
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 03:05 PM
1. Page2 Line 9 Raag Jap: Guru Nanak Dev

guru eIsru guru gorKu brmw guru pwrbqI mweI ]
gur eesar gur gorakh baramaa gur paarabathee maaee ||
The Guru is Shiva, the Guru is Vishnu and Brahma; the Guru is Paarvati and Lakhshmi.

2. Page199 Line 6 Raag Gaurhee: Guru Arjan Dev

so bYsno hY Apr Apwru ]
so baisano hai apar apaar ||
Infinitely invaluable is that Vaishnaav, that worshipper of Vishnu,

3. Page274 Line 6 Raag Gaurhee Sukhmanee: Guru Arjan Dev

bYsno so ijsu aUpir supRsMn ]
baisano so jis oopar suprasann ||
The true Vaishnaav, the devotee of Vishnu, is the one with whom God is thoroughly pleased.

4. Page300 Line 12 Raag Thitee Gaurhee: Guru Arjan Dev

so surqw so bYsno so igAwnI DnvMqu ]
so surathaa so baisano so giaanee dhhanavanth ||
They are intuitively wise, and they are Vaishnaavs, worshippers of Vishnu; they are spiritually wise, wealthy and prosperous
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 03:08 PM
QUOTES FROM THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB

Generally, historians have their own personal views, agendas, spin and interpretations on things, I will therefore quote from the Primary, original sources only.


I present to you quotes, with page references from the GURU GRANTH SAHIB, written by the seven Sikh Gurus, eighteen Hindu saints and two Muslim Sufis. I will also provide quotes from the Dasam Granth, written by Guru Govind Singh Ji himself, and despite what some may say, the authenticity of this work has been proved BEYOND a shadow of a doubt, as the gurus work. The most damning proof being the fact that the original still lies in the Akhal Thakt to this day.


The Guru Granth Sahib contains around 15,028 of references to Hindu concepts and the names of Hindu gods.



A near-exact count is given in K.P. Agrawala: Adi Shrî Gurû Granth Sâhib kî Mahimâ (Hindi: “The greatness of the original sacred Guru scripture”), p.2, and in Ram Swarup: “Hindu roots of Sikhism”, Indian Express,

The name of the Hindu god Shri Ram, is recited 2,400 times, (the gods name whose constant repetition leads to salvation).

Hari (Vishnu) over 8,300 times, 630 times by Guru Nanak alone,

Parabrahman, 550 times, Omkara, (the primeval sound of OM) 400 times.
Please note the names of countless other Hindu gods are also mentioned and are one and the same.

In contrast the name Mohammed is never mentioned and the name allah is used but a couple of times, merely as an example. It is interesting to note that the Granth itself contains banis from seven of the sikh gurus, two muslim Sufis, but EIGHTEEN Hindu saints and pandits.

The religious source of Sikhism is Hinduism, Sikhism is a tradition developed within Hinduism. Guru Granth Sahib reflect Vedantic philosophy, the Vedanta of Rishi Vedvyas who wrote the Mahabharat. The Japji Sahib is based on Upanishads.


Guru Nanak Ji wrote in the Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Malaar, Pa.1279 thus:


‘BRAHMA, VISHNU, MAHESH [SHIVA] the three demigods were expanded into [by God].
He gave BRAHMA the VEDAS and involved them in it’s worship.
Ten Avatars did king RAMA [VISHNU] take.
He attacked and killed demons but all in accordance with God’s command.
God did SHIVA serve but he too did not find his limits.
Attaining true value he created his [heavenly] throne.
He has set the world to task and concealed himself.
He makes all function this Karma is divinely ordained.’


(‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Malaar, Pa.1279)
This is entirley reminiscent of what is stated in the Mahabharata, where it was written by Rishi Vedvyas Ji that God who is referred to as Omkar or Parbrahma, converted Himself into Lord Vishnu. Out of Lord Vishnu's navel came Lord Brahma and from His forehead came the Akal Pursh (otherwise known as Akal or Lord Shiva ) .


When Vishnu, Brahma and Akal combined their powers, or shaktis, to create the image of the Mother goddess it was Durga who came forth. Durga is also known as Shiva, Devi, Mata, Parvati, Chamunda, and Jwaladevi. Guru Govind Singh was a great devotee of Durga Mata, and wrote the prayer known as Chandi Ki Vaar in her praise.


Guru Nanak spoke to a Vaishnav Hindu (‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Thiti Gauri, Pa.300) thus :
‘He who focuses his mind on God is a Vaisnu [follower of VISHNU] He is a man of great knowledge.
He is a warrior of a high clan who worships Bhagwant [God/VISHNU].


Be they Khatri, Shudar, Vaise or a Chandal [Four castes of Hinduism] by contemplating God they are saved from vice.
They who ever have acknowledged God, Nanak asks for the dust of their feet.
(‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Thiti Gauri, Pa.300)


The third Sikh Guru Amardas said of a true Sanatan Brahmin (‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Gujri, Pa.512) thus:
‘He who appreciates BRAHM [God] call him a Brahmin, he day and night stays absorbed in Har [God].
He lives in accordance within the will of the true Guru, truth and Sanjam [self-restraint] he practices thus his ailment of ego flees.’ (‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Gujri, Pa.512)
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 03:09 PM
Guru Angad Dev said to a Brahmin (Guru Granth Sahib’, Sukhmani Sahib, Pa.274-275):
‘He is a true Pundit [Brahmin] who awakens his mind.
And searches for the Naam [ineffable name of] RAAM [God] in himself.
From the teachings of such a Pundit all beings find [spiritual] life.
He transplants the story of Har in their hearts.
Such a Pundit then never again is born.
He appreciates the fundamental truth [God] of the VEDAS, PURAANAS and SIMIRITIA [Hindu religious texts].
He appreciates the subtle/sublime within the great expansive World.
He instructs the four castes [without discrimination].
Such a Pundit say’s Nanak I always salute.’
(Guru Granth Sahib’, Sukhmani Sahib, Pa.274-275)


In the entire Guru Granth Sahib, the Vedas are respected and referred to as sacred.
Guru Nanak Ji said (Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Kanra, Pa.1309):


‘All ways be humble before the Bhagats being humble you will attain merit.
A evil person who slanders the Bhagats will be destroyed like Harnyaksh.
BRAHMA, son of a lotus [BRAHMA emerged from a lotus symbol of order out of chaos] VYAS [One of the greatest of Sanatan sages to whom were revealed the Sanatan scriptures VEDAS and Mahabharat epic with Bhagvad GITA. VYAS is also credited with the authorship of the oldest extent commentary on the source book of Hatha Yoga, ‘Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutra’, the, ‘Yoga-Bhashya’. In the Mahabharat he is recognised as the foremost master and expert on Yoga.] Born of a fish [Symbol of agitated mind] by devotion of highest God they themselves were worshiped.
Whoever are Bhagats respect them your great doubts and fears will thus flee.
Do not consider the cast of a Bhagat Sukdev [A Brahmin] grasping the feet of Jank [A Khashatriya king father of Sita hence lower cast than Sukdev] as Guru worshiped highest God.


Janak who sat on a throne on seeing the nine [Vedic] holy sages himself fell at their feet [Because they were Bhagats of highest God].
Say’s Nanak bless me oh bless me master [Va-eh Guru] make me the servant of your servants [The Bhagats such as PRAHLAD, BRAHMA, VYAS, SUKHDEV, JANK, nine sages etc.]

Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Kanra, Pa.1309)
Guru Ramdas ( wore the Vaishnav tilak) spoke of the Gurmukhs of the past thus:
‘The Sidhas [Holy Sanatan sages] meditated and contemplated [God] Sadik and Muni [both aforementioned are Sanatan holy men] contemplated [God].
Men of penance, sexual restraint and contentment contemplated [God] demigods such as INDRA [King of demigods] contemplated [God].
The Gurmukh who seeking God’s protection contemplates him attains salvation.
Oh my mind by contemplation of Gods Naam one is saved.


Dhanna a Jatt [Farming clan of northern India] and Balmikh [Composer of RAMAYANA] a highwayman becoming a Gurmukh was saved.
The demigods, Gan [Followers of Shiva], Gandarb [Beings between demigods and men who are believed to sing for the Indian demigods] contemplate [God] as well as even the poor Dharmraj [demigod who judges dead for God according to Indian religions].
SHIVA, BRAHMA all demigods contemplated with their mouths the name Har Har.
They who have been absorbed in God's name those Gurmukh attained salvation.’

(‘Guru Granth Sahib’, Raag Maru, Pa.995)
Shabads on Hanuman Ji inside Guru Granth Sahib Ji here is one. This shabad is by Bhagat Kabeer Ji in
Raag Basant on Pannaa 1193
PMIFQ JN MWQY PIV* PURWN ] PA(N)DDITH JAN MAATHAE PARRIH PURAAN ||
the pandits, the hindu religious scholars, are intoxicated, reading the puraanas.
JOGI MWQY JOG IDAWN ] JOGEE MAATHAE JOG DHHIAAN ||
the yogis are intoxicated in yoga and meditation.
SMINAWSI MWQY AHMMYV ] SA(N)NIAASEE MAATHAE AHA(N)MAEV ||
the sannyaasees are intoxicated in egotism.
QPSI MWQY QP KY BYV ]1] THAPASEE MAATHAE THAP KAI BHAEV ||1||
the penitents are intoxicated with the mystery of penance.
||1|| SB MD MWQY KOAU N JWG ] SABH MADH MAATHAE KOOO N JAAG ||
all are intoxicated with the wine of maya; no one is awake and aware.
SMG HI COR GRU MUSN LWG ]1] RHWAU ] SA(N)G HEE CHOR GHAR MUSAN LAAG ||1|| REHAAO ||
the thieves are with them, p****ering their homes.
||1||PAUSE|| JWGY SUKDYAU ARU AKURU ] JAAGAI SUKADHAEO AR AKOOR ||
sukdayv and akrur are awake and aware.
HXVMQU JWGY DIR LµKURU ] HANAVA(N)TH JAAGAI DHHAR LA(N)KOOR ||
HANUMAN WITH HIS TAIL IS AWAKE AND AWARE.


SMKRU JWGY CRN SYV ] SA(N)KAR JAAGAI CHARAN SAEV ||
SHIVA IS AWAKE, SERVING AT THE LORD'S FEET.
KIL JWGY NWMW JYDYV ]2] KAL JAAGAE NAAMAA JAIDHAEV ||2||
naam dayv and jai dayv are awake in this dark age of kali yuga.

||2|| JWGQ SOVQ BHU PRKWR ] JAAGATH SOVATH BAHU PRAKAAR ||
there are many ways of being awake, and sleeping.
GURMUIK JWGY SOEI SWRU ] GURAMUKH JAAGAI SOEE SAAR ||
to be awake as gurmukh is the most excellent way.
IESU DYHI KY AIDK KWM ] EIS DHAEHEE KAE ADHHIK KAAM ||
the most sublime of all the actions of this body,
KIH KBIR BIJ RWM NWM ]3]2] KEHI KABEER BHAJ RAAM NAAM ||3||2||
says kabeer, is to meditate and vibrate on the lord's name. ||3


"Guru Arjun Dev Ji , who compiled the Guru Granth sahib, writes in the fifth granth :
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 04:07 PM
why then do sikhs in the west say they have nothing to do with Hinduism and make fun of Hindu gods?

It is the mistake to Hindus that they do not spread or discuss this information
Arjun101
13th July 2007, 04:14 PM
thank god for hindusikh.org from which we have been able to learn such great historical information

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hindu Nav Varsh Yug Samvat 5113

The Hindu New Year's Day commences on the first day of the month called Chaitra or Chithirai. It is also called Chaitra Vishu for this reason. The occasion is said to be an auspicious one because, at this time, the sun enters the sign Aries of· the Zodiac. The people call the occasion Chaitra Vishu Punyakalam or, the sacred occasion

Gift a Pooja for Tamil New Year Gift a Pooja for UGADI
The reason why the people in India compute the Indian year from this month when the sun enters Aries -- the ram in the signs of the Zodiac -- is said to be one philosophically derived from the science of cosmo-genesis. The Sanskrit word for 'ram' is aja which means 'that which is not born.' Therefore the sign of the Zodiac under reference stands for the ultimate cause of everything, and consequently the month in which the sun enters this sign is rightly considered to be the first month of the year. From time immemorial, the Hindu conception of an ideal life has been one of sacrifices and religious observances. Thus the information regarding the appropriate time for the observance of particular rites or ceremonies becomes important. This information is furnished by the Hindu astrologers and astronomers in the form of a calender called panchangams.



In ancient times books were very rare and even cudjan leaf manuscripts were not easily available to the vast majority of the people of a village; only the chief priest of the village held a copy of the precious manuscript and it was his duty to apprise the people in his village of the date of observance of a particular festival or Vrata. But in the beginning of the year the people desire to know the position of the various planets with reference to the sun and its effects on men, animals and plants. They also want to know whether the position of the planets would bring them rains in the proper seasons. So the custom of calculating and predicting the planetary influence over the earth through such astrological studies came in vogue.
The days are generally hot and sultry in the month of Chithirai. When a large number of people assemble at a particular place in hot weather, something must be done to counter it. Thus arose the custom of presenting people with cool drinks and fans. On this festive day people eat margosa flowers, fried or rather charred and mixed with sugar. Apart from the medicinal effect which this preparation has, we may say that this flower belongs to this season and is thus recognised as the harbinger of the coming season.

Tamilians of southen India arrive at their new year day in accordance with the movement of the sun and it is the astronomical year which marks the vernal equinox. The Telugu and the Kannada-speaking people follow the lunar or the luni-solar systems, which precedes the Tamil new year. The Malayalis of the west coast follow an agricultural year which is known as Kollam Andu, commencing in September when the sun enters the autumnal equinox. It is in this part of the west coast of southern India that very heavy rains fall for nearly nine months in the year.

Though the day commencing each month is considered to be auspicious yet special importance is attached to the occasions, Chaitra Vishu, Tula Ravi, Uttarayana and Dakshinayana. The solar year commences from the sun's entrance into aries -- the ram. The beginnings of the solar months are determined by the entry of the sun into the other zodiacal signs.

The solar years are recorded in the era of the Kaliyuga. Its years are converted into those of the Christian era by subtracting 3101, from the number of complete years that have lapsed since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Similarly, the corresponding complete year of the Kaliyuga passed, is arrived at by adding 3101 to the Christian year. Further, by adding 3044 to the year in the Vikrama era and 3179 to the year in the Saka era the corresponding Kaliyuga year is arrived at. The lunar month Chandrayanam as opposed to the solar one Sourayanam is reckoned from the full moon to the full moon. It is invariably determined by the beginning of the bright fortnight of the month, but takes the name of the solar month in which the full moon occurs. Each month consists of two halves called 'pakshas' and each half is a fortnight in the month. The Sukla paksha or the bright fortnight is the period of the waxing moon while Krishna paksha or the dark fortnight is that of the waning moon. Each of these pakshas again consists of fifteen tithis. A tithi is the time required by the moon to increase its distance from the sun westward by twelve degrees of the zodiac.

As the true motions of the sun and the moon vary with their positions in their orbits the length or duration of a tithi is also variable. There are names given to these tithis of the fortnight and the fifteenth tithi of the bright fortnight is called the Purnamlisi tithi or the full moon, while the fifteenth tithi of the dark fortnight goes by the name Amavasya tithi or the new moon. In fact, the full moon and the new moon mark the end bright and dark fortnights of the month respectively.

It is also said that the Chaitra Vishu day or the opening day of the first fortnight of the waxing moon was the occasion chosen by Brahma to create this world. Hence this day is also known as yugadhi or the beginning of a yuga. This festive day is said to have acquired further importance by the fact that Sri Ramachandra, the hero of the epic Ramayana, had his triumphal entry into Ayodhya after the destruction of the rakshasas, and was crowned there on this day. There is also an allegorical myth regarding the origin of the Hindu cycle of sixty years and it is in brief as follows:

The sage Narada once betrayed a desire for worldly pleasures and in consequence had to take birth in this mortal world as a woman. He is said to have given birth to sixty children and the Hindu cycle of sixty years is said to have had its origin from those children. The Hindus believe that the twelve signs of the Zodiac represent twelve planets in the solar system. These planets and centres of consciousness are in the mighty cosmic deity or intelligence called Kalapurusha. In fact, the planets are said to be his head, face, breast, belly, navel, abdomen, genitals, teeth, eyes, knees, ankles and feet.

The Indian calendar is named panchangam since it is comprised of five limbs, and they are (1) the tithi, (2) the varam, (3) the nakshatram, (4) the yogam and (5) the karanam. A man desiring prosperity pays attention to the tithi. One desirous of long life understands everything about varam or the days of the week. The nakshatrams are resorted to, for expiating sin and the yogam for obtaining immunity from diseases. The karanam is said to secure success for the observer in all his undertakings. Thus, a proper understanding of planetary influences is essential for controlling them. Hence has arisen the proverb 'wise Inen rule the stars’.

The story is that once upon a time saint Narada, the celestial celebate, saw a pair of fish in conjugal happiness, while bathing in the sacred Ganges. His passions were excited and he felt a desire to lead a married life. The happiness of a family and the pleasure of children playing about, and a thousand and one things which make life enjoyable, templed even this citadel of celibacy, this ever-youthful ascetic. He made up his mind to give up his brahmacharya and lead the life of a householder. But, he thought, who would give him a wife, and, besides, he had no money to expend on the costly ceremony. What should he do? The best course was to go to Krishna, the king of Dwaraka, and the husband of sixteen thousand one hundred and eight wives! The Lord of Dwaraka could easily spare one, and would not miss her! And he was so fabulously rich that he could easily pay all the expenses! This unholy thought affected the sanctity of the great saint to a certain extent. God, however, felt himself bound to satisfy every desire of his devotees, and Narada stood at the top of them all! All-pervading Vishnu, therefore, organised a counterplot. He took no offence even at so insulting a proposal. Noticing that Narada laid much stress on the large number of his wives and hinted at the impossibility of one man meeting them every day, he asked the saint to go round his houses and to pick up that woman with whom he was not living. Poor Narada! He was not in his senses.

He took the bait, and actually went round the whole city, but in every house that Narada visited he found Krishna there, either playing with the children or enjoying the company of his wife in a thousand and one ways. Always happy, always jolly, always in the enjoyment of the highest blessing, possible a married man! That sight still more excited the passions of. Narada. He was still thinking how to get a wife when his time for prayer came. As he always bathed and repeated his prayers very punctually, he involuntarily went to the Ganges to bathe. Narada was thinking of going again to Krishna for a wife when he rook another dip, and on coming up to the surface of the water was astonished to see that he was turned into a woman! she got out of the stream and was going to change her wet clothes, when, lo! a big, tall, stout, manly, good-looking sanyasi accosted her. He caught her (Naradi as she must hence be called) by the hand, took her to a cottage and a marriage-by-capture followed. She gave birth to sixty sons one after another, every year! Worried, exhausted, fatigued, bored to death by these numerous sons, at the end of the sixtieth year she involuntarily prayed to Lord Vishnu to relieve her of this worldly misery! Repentance did not come too late for the 1ong, eternal (free from death) life of Narada ! The sanyasi disappeared and there appeared in his place the glorious Lord of the Universe, god Vishnu, with four hands, holding sankha, chakra,gada and padma and said: 'What are your wishes, O eminent woman? They shall be granted!' Naradi looked aghast, looked at the lord again, wiped her eyes and said: 'You know it, my lord. Fool that I was, I thought married life was a bed of roses, full of. happiness and pleasures. Save me, my lord!'

'Rise, dear Narada, rise!' was the response. He was transformed into a fully equipped young ascetic in every detail! The god Vishnu embraced him as a friend and asked him to name any other desire, but by this time the sixty sons had gathered round their mother clamouring for food! Narada appealed to Vishnu to silence them. Vishnu gave them the Raj of the world to be enjoyed by turns for oneyear at a time. This is how each Hindu year has a separate name for a cycle of sixty years. At the end of this cycle falls the Kapila Shasthi, the sacred day on which Naradi was re-transformed into saint Narada !

Here is the list of the sixty sons of Naradi, after whom the lunar years in the cycle are still being called.

Prabhav, Vibhav, Shukla, Paramoda, Prajapati, Angira, Shrimukha, Bhava, Yuva, Dhatu, Ishwar, Bahudanya, Pramathi, Vikrama, Vrisha, Chitrabhanu, Subhanu, Taran, Prartiva, Vyaya, Sarvajit, Sarvadhari, Virodhi, Vikriti, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Marmath, Durmikha, Hemalambi, Vilambi, Vikari, Sharvar, Plava, Shubakrit, Shobhana, Krodhi, Vishvavasu, Parabhava, Plavanga, Kilaka, Saumya, Sadharana, Virodhikrita, Paridhavi, Pramadi, Ananda, Rakshasa, Nala, Pingala. Kalayukta, Sitdharti, Raudri, Durmati, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgari, Raktakshi, Krodhana, and Akshaya.